by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Feb 17, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Michigan -2
FanDuel: Michigan -1.5
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Michigan -2
Season record
Michigan State: 16-9 (8-6 Big Ten)
Michigan: 14-12 (8-7 Big Ten)
February is here and the college basketball season is taking full shape. Conference races still to be determined, the top 25 completely in shambles for what seems like every week, and there's bound to be an upset what seems like every single week. But as the season continues to progress with what seems like exciting action every week, you know our champion handicappers continue to put the work in each and every week to not only make money for them, but to ensure you get money in your pocket. All you need to do is look at the last 30 days. Scott Rickenbach has reeled in a net profit of $14,000 with a 24-9-0 run on the college hardwood. Team Del Genio has killed it with a 13-1-0 run at +$11,900. Will Rogers (28-15-0) and Matt Fargo (40-27-0) have also seen five figures over the last 30 days with college basketball. Surely, you want to get on this winning as well. All you need to do is go to bigal.com, check out our Best Bets page and make sure you are following along on the action. March will be here before you know it! Take advantage of our best plays and find out what our champion handicappers are doing at bigal.com!
Michigan State - Michigan preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Michigan State: won 62-41 at Ohio State
Michigan: lost 64-59 at Wisconsin
Basketball almost takes a backseat when we see what's transpiring in the real world. For the first time since the tragic shooting on the campus of Michigan State, the Spartans return to the court on Saturday to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a battle that is not really a battle, but something to bring the community of Michigan together.
I know the business of what we do is predicated on the books, and that will surely have an impact in how this game goes. But I can't even imagine what those students are going through. I can't imagine what the student athletes that have to prepare for a game are going through after their university went through that tragedy.
But on the court, Michigan State is going to try and win its third straight game and are coming off a 62-41 win at Ohio State earlier in the week. Joey Hauser had 22 points, and Tyson Walker finished with 10 points in what was a rather easy day on the court for MSU.
"They felt that if they played, it would help not only themselves and the team, but maybe the campus heal a little better," said coach Tom Izzo. "We know everybody grieves different. Everyone processes trauma in different ways. Whatever you're feeling is valid."
Even though this is a road game for Michigan State, you have to feel the entire state of Michigan is behind the Spartans. Even if Michigan somehow wins, you just feel the community of Ann Arbor is going to be behind the East Lansing folks. I have absolutely no idea how this is going to go, and you never want to use a tragedy from a betting point of view, but you have to think everything lands in favor of the Spartans just from an inspiration standpoint.
I look at it the way the Vegas Golden Knights played their first games after the Oct. 1 tragedy. Never playing a game before, they rallied behind the spirit of winning for the city and won three games. Sort of a different situation, but you get that feeling even with Michigan State getting two points in this game.
Prediction
If it weren't for the fact that Michigan has been an average team all year long, maybe I'd have more faith in the Wolverines to actually play a game that is capable of being admired. But I think the Spartans are just going to fuel themselves to victory in the most insane circumstances imaginable. Michigan State 80, Michigan 77
Basketball almost takes a backseat when we see what's transpiring in the real world. For the first time since the tragic shooting on the campus of Michigan State, the Spartans return to the court on Saturday to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a battle that is not really a battle, but something to bring the community of Michigan together.
I know the business of what we do is predicated on the books, and that will surely have an impact in how this game goes. But I can't even imagine what those students are going through. I can't imagine what the student athletes that have to prepare for a game are going through after their university went through that tragedy.
But on the court, Michigan State is going to try and win its third straight game and are coming off a 62-41 win at Ohio State earlier in the week. Joey Hauser had 22 points, and Tyson Walker finished with 10 points in what was a rather easy day on the court for MSU.
"They felt that if they played, it would help not only themselves and the team, but maybe the campus heal a little better," said coach Tom Izzo. "We know everybody grieves different. Everyone processes trauma in different ways. Whatever you're feeling is valid."
Even though this is a road game for Michigan State, you have to feel the entire state of Michigan is behind the Spartans. Even if Michigan somehow wins, you just feel the community of Ann Arbor is going to be behind the East Lansing folks. I have absolutely no idea how this is going to go, and you never want to use a tragedy from a betting point of view, but you have to think everything lands in favor of the Spartans just from an inspiration standpoint.
I look at it the way the Vegas Golden Knights played their first games after the Oct. 1 tragedy. Never playing a game before, they rallied behind the spirit of winning for the city and won three games. Sort of a different situation, but you get that feeling even with Michigan State getting two points in this game.
Prediction
If it weren't for the fact that Michigan has been an average team all year long, maybe I'd have more faith in the Wolverines to actually play a game that is capable of being admired. But I think the Spartans are just going to fuel themselves to victory in the most insane circumstances imaginable. Michigan State 80, Michigan 77
Betting trends
Michigan State is 11-18 ATS in road games the last 3 seasons.
Michigan State is 27-31 ATS in conference games the last 3 seasons.
Michigan State is 9-4 ATS off an under this season.
Michigan is 8-8 ATS as a favorite this season.
Projected starting lineup
Michigan State:
PG: Tyson Walker
SG: Jaden Akins
SF: A.J. Hoggard
PF: Joey Hauser
C: Mady Sissoko
Michigan:
PG: Dug McDaniel
SG: Kobe Bufkin
SF: Jett Howard
PF: Terrance Williams II
C: Hunter Dickinson
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
